der  Hintern

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhɪntɐn/

🧐 What does "der Hintern" mean?

The German word der Hintern (masculine) colloquially refers to the Gesäß (buttocks), the part of the body one sits on. It's an informal expression commonly used in everyday language.

There is only this one article for the word in this meaning. It's a common, though not very formal, word for this body part.

• Meaning: buttocks, behind, rear end, bum (colloquial)
• Context: Mostly informal, in everyday conversations.

📚 Grammar: Declension of "der Hintern"

The noun "Hintern" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Er ist auf den Hintern gefallen.
   (He fell on his behind.)
2. Der Arzt untersuchte seinen Hintern.
   (The doctor examined his buttocks.)
3. Gib mir einen Klaps auf den Hintern!
   (Give me a pat on the behind! - often playful or used with children)
4. Die Hose ist am Hintern gerissen.
   (The trousers/pants are torn at the seat/behind.)

🗣️ How to use "Hintern"?

"Hintern" is a common word in colloquial German. It is less vulgar than some alternatives but significantly more informal than the neutral word "Gesäß".

• Context: Everyday language, familiar or friendly settings. Generally unsuitable for formal or very polite contexts (e.g., doctor's appointments, official letters).
• Comparison:
  • Gesäß: Neutral, medical, formal term for buttocks.
  • Po: Very colloquial, often used by or with children, similar to 'butt' or 'bum'.
  • Allerwertester: Humorous, euphemistic ('rearmost', 'most precious').
  • Hintern: Common colloquial term, neither particularly vulgar nor formal.
• Idiomatic: The phrase "jemandem in den Hintern treten" literally means 'to kick someone in the behind' but idiomatically means 'to motivate someone' or 'to get someone moving'.

💡 Mnemonics for "der Hintern"

Article Mnemonic (der): Think that the word ends in "-ern", like many masculine nouns (e.g., der Kasten - the box, der Anker - the anchor). Alternatively: The hinder end is masculine -> der Hintern.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word "Hintern" contains "hinten" (behind). It's the body part located at the back or behind you.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Words like "Arsch" (ass/arse) are vulgar and should be avoided unless the context allows for very crude language.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Piraten ihre Hintern nicht mit an Land?

... Weil sie ihre Schätze lieber auf der Insel lassen! 😉

(Why don't pirates take their behinds ashore with them?
... Because they prefer to leave their booties on the island! (Pun on 'Schätze' = treasures and 'booty'))

📜 Poem about the Hintern

Ob beim Sitzen, ob beim Steh'n,
ist der Hintern stets zu seh'n.
Mal rund, mal flach, mal groß, mal klein,
er muss halt immer hinten sein.
Mal zwickt er uns, mal tut er weh,
nach langem Sitzen, ohjemine!
Drum pfleg ihn gut, tagaus, tagein,
denn ohne ihn wär's unbequem!

(Whether sitting, whether standing,
the behind is always to be seen.
Sometimes round, sometimes flat, sometimes big, sometimes small,
it just always has to be at the back.
Sometimes it pinches us, sometimes it hurts,
after long sitting, oh dear!
So take good care of it, day in, day out,
because without it, it would be uncomfortable!)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin immer hinten dran,
doch jeder braucht mich, Frau und Mann.
Beim Sitzen lieg' ich meistens auf,
manchmal krieg' ich einen Klaps darauf.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: der Hintern

(I'm always at the back,
but everyone needs me, woman and man.
When sitting, I'm usually underneath,
sometimes I get a pat on top.

What am I?
Solution: the Hintern / behind)

✨ Other Information

Etymology: The word "Hintern" derives directly from the adverb/preposition "hinten" or "hinter", meaning 'behind', describing the position of this body part.

Cultural Notes: The behind plays a role in humour, art, and sometimes idioms in many cultures (like the German vulgarism "den Arsch hochkriegen" = 'get your ass up' = to get moving, to take action!).